Harvey ElliottGetty Images

Harvey Elliot hit the post with one of England's best chances

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

England were held to a frustrating draw with Slovenia in their second group match of the Uefa European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.

The Young Lions had a number of chances and went close to scoring through Ethan Nwaneri and Harvey Elliot, who hit the post with a volley.

Captain James McAtee was also denied from close range by Martin Turk, while the Slovenia keeper tipped over a Jack Hinshelwood header just before the end.

Head coach Lee Carsley made two changes from the side that comfortably beat Slovakia in the opening game, but those tweaks did not have the desired effect and the hot conditions also seemed to impact England's ability to move the ball quickly.

Slovenia had chances to win the match themselves as Svit Seslar forced goalkeeper James Beadle into three good saves, while the forward also went close with a bicycle kick in the first half.

The result left England top of Group B on four points with Germany and the Czech Republic playing the other match in the group later this evening.

England face Germany in their final match and Carsley's side may need to pick up a positive result to ensure their progression to the knockout stages.

What's the main talking point?

Carsley set England up in a 4-2-2-2 formation and again played without a recognised striker.

England dominated the ball, but were unable to take the chances they created.

Birmingham City striker Jay Stansfield scored 23 goals in all competitions for his club last season as they lifted the League One title.

But he only came on as a 72nd-minute substitute against Slovenia and became a traditional target man to offer a focal point for the attack. Carsley could be tempted to start him for the final group game against Germany.

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Who stood out?

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson shone again in the centre of England's midfield with his vision, while Charlie Cresswell put in another solid performance at centre-back.

Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney was brought into the midfield for Alex Scott, but the England team missed the Bournemouth player's passing ability.

Seslar, who spent last season on loan at Celje from Eyupspor, was a constant threat for Slovenia. His performance showed why he was named in the Uefa Conference League team of the season alongside Isco of Real Betis and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez.

The standout stats

England again dominated possession with 64.7% and had 41 touches in the Slovenia penalty area.

Lee Carsley's side had 20 shots compared to Slovenia's seven, but both sides only managed three on target.

What's next for these teams?

England's final group match is against Germany on Wednesday (20:00 BST), while Slovenia face the Czech Republic at the same time.

Player of the match

T. Livramento
6.56
2 T. Livramento
6.56
1 J. Beadle
6.40
8 E. Anderson
6.38
16 J. Hinshelwood
5.97
14 A. Gray
5.82
21 E. Nwaneri
5.78
4 J. Quansah
5.75
11 O. Hutchinson
5.74
19 H. Elliott
5.52
18 J. Stansfield
5.50
5 C. Cresswell
5.48
6 H. Hackney
5.28
23 T. Morton
5.10
10 J. McAtee
5.07
12 B. Norton-Cuffy
5.07
9 J. Rowe
4.97
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